The Board of Education recognizes that depression and self-destruction are problems of increasing severity among children and adolescents. A student who suffers the psychological disability of depression cannot benefit fully from the educational program of the schools, and a student who has attempted self-destruction poses a danger both to himself/herself and to other students.

All school personnel should be alert to the student who exhibits signs of unusual depression or who threatens or attempts suicide. Any such signs or the report of such signs from another student or staff member should be taken with the utmost seriousness.

District staff shall receive professional development training in the risk factors, warning signs for suicide and depression and about the protective factors that help prevent suicide, as well as the available resources regarding youth suicide awareness and prevention.

Additional professional development training in suicide risk assessment and intervention shall be provided to counselors, psychologists, and school nurses.

The Superintendent shall develop and implement administrative guidelines whereby members of the professional staff understand how to use an intervention procedure which includes the following:

Step 1 – Stabilization

Step 2 - Assessment of the Risk

Step 3 - Use of Appropriate Risk Procedure

Step 4 - Communication with Appropriate Parties

Step 5 - Follow-up

Parents/Guardians shall be notified of any suicide prevention instruction provided their children using the communication method used for regular communication with parents in that particular building.

Throughout any intervention, it is essential that Board policies and District guidelines regarding confidentiality be observed at all times.